[Verse 1]
What's it been? Over a decade?
It still smarts like it was four minutes ago
We only influenced each other totally
We only bruised each other even more so

[Pre-Chorus]
What are you, my blood?
You touch me like you are my blood
What are you, my dad?
You affect me like you are my dad

[Chorus]
How long can a girl be shackled to you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl stay haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name

[Verse 2]
Where've you been? I heard you moved to my city
My brother saw you somewhere downtown
I'd be paralyzed if I ran into you
My tongue would seize up if we were to meet again

[Pre-Chorus]
What are you, my God?
You touch me like you are my God
What are you, my twin?
You affect me like you are my twin
[Chorus]
How long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name

[Verse 3]
So here I am, one room away from where I know you're standing
A well-intentioned man told me you just walked in
This man knows not how this information has affected me
But he knows the color of the car I just drove away in

[Pre-Chorus]
What are you, my kin?
You touch me like you are my kin
What are you, my air?
You affect me like you are my air

[Chorus]
And how long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name